Under the combined pressures of delivering environmental protection and energy efficiency, the automotive industry is striving to make major breakthroughs in weight reduction and low emissions. This is the backdrop for Lightweight Asia 2019 from 10-12 July in Shanghai, which will provide a platform for companies from around the world to showcase their latest products and research for next-generation lightweight manufacturing.

Lightweight Asia takes place alongside the 15th Aluminium China event and are expected to attract over 25,000 visitors. This year, the shows have expanded to feature lightweight materials, technologies and parts for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, along with processing equipment and other lightweight manufacturing solutions. The latest lightweight trends and topics will also be explored at a series of professional conference streams and forums.

The market for lightweight vehicles is being further driven by recent policy directives and time-frames set by China at the 13th CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) in Beijing to transform the automotive industry. This includes the purchase tax rebate extension for EVs (Electrical Vehicles) as well as supportive policies for HFCVs (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles) to accelerate further development and sales. With the rapid rise of EVs, the auto industry is demanding even more from lightweight technologies for greater cost control, performance enhancement and energy efficiency.

In addition, the Made in China 2025 Strategy has positioned energy efficiency and EVs as core technologies for the future and recognizes the role of lightweight technologies for EVs and traditional vehicles to support both economic and social transformation. By 2020 in China, passenger cars are requested to reduce weight by 7% compared to the base of 2017, while medium-sized vans, trailers and buses need to be cut by 5%, and medium and small sized commercial cars by 10%.

Following the success of last year’s new Lightweight Achievements Showcase Arena, which brought together over 100 leading companies, the 2019 event will feature even more high-tech, lightweight technologies from companies such as (Novelis, Chalco, Nanshan Aluminum, Nanjing Yunhai, PTG Holroyd Powerstir, Aerospace Engineering, Arnold, Weibo Automation, PennEngineering Automotive Fasteners, AVIC Composite, Huayang New Materials, and Beijing Zhongcai Auto Composite)

Metals and more

Lightweight automotive materials are evolving rapidly thanks to thriving innovation, reflected in the growing diversity of new technologies, processes and materials used in the production of small cars. As well as aluminium and magnesium, Lightweight Asia will showcase a wide range of non-metal materials such as new composites. “In order to provide a powerful platform for the auto industry, this year’s event will provide an international forum around EVs and composite materials innovation,” said Chris Zang from Reed Exhibitions. “Discussions will take place around lightweight technologies including new types of high-performance composite materials and break-through processes, which will have a major impact on the manufacture of EVs. Comprehensive information on EV industry policy trends and the market landscape will also be shared by industry experts.